We study the numerical approximation by edge finite elements of fields whose divergence and curl, or divergence and curl-curl, are prescribed in a bounded set $\Omega$ of $\mathbb{R}^3$, together with a boundary condition. Special attention is paid to solutions with low-regularity, in terms of the Sobolev scale $({\mathbf H}^{s}(\Omega))_{s>0}$. Among others, we consider an electromagnetic-like model including an interface between a classical medium and a metamaterial. In this setting the electric permittivity, and possibly the magnetic permeability, exhibit a sign-change at the interface. With the help of T-coercivity, we address the case of a model with one sign-changing coefficient, both for the model itself, and for its discrete version. Optimal error estimates are derived. Thanks to these results, we are also able to analyze the classical time-harmonic Maxwell equations, with one sign-changing coefficient.